Lethbridge police, MADD launch annual Christmas Checkstop campaign

With another season of Christmas parties starting up, the Lethbridge Police Service is launching its annual checkstop campaign this weekend.

As holiday parties begin, the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) is launching its annual Christmas Checkstop campaign.

“Impaired drivers pose a significant risk to public safety, and the primary goal of Christmas checkstops is to remove them from the road,” said Sgt. Tony Ramotowski with the LPS traffic response unit.

The checkstops will be held throughout the month and into the new year, with a goal of apprehending impaired drivers.

“There’s a lot of parties going on,” said Ramotowski.

“People like to celebrate their Christmas in different ways, and obviously alcohol is a part of it for some people, and we just want to make sure everybody is safe this season and that there’s no tragedies for Christmastime.”

Officers will also be checking for valid vehicle documentation, including licences, registration and insurance.

In December 2024, police checked more than 1,200 vehicles and arrested 12 impaired drivers.

“Plan ahead, make that call, have a taxi number handy—anything like that before you head out so you know you’re making the right choice and getting a safe ride home. Not only for you, but for others on the road,” said Anita Huchala, MADD Lethbridge and Area president.

The holiday season brings the most business for Cory Ell, owner of Saferide in Lethbridge.

“It’s like threefold,” he said.

The designated-driver service has been getting people and their vehicles home for the past four years.

“As of late, it seems like we’ve gotten a lot more recognition, and people have come to trust the service, which is what we want because there are far too many people on the road that probably shouldn’t be and far too many families that are in the mix,” said Ell.

Ell says there is a gap in the city for this type of service, and he’s hoping to grow his operation throughout the year.

However, a similar program operated by the University of Lethbridge Pronghorn Athletics has hit the brakes.

“After a review of the Luxie Lifts program, formerly known as Operation Red Nose, the decision was made to pause it this year,” Pronghorns Athletics said in a statement.

“Luxie Lifts has had a meaningful impact over the years, and we’re taking some time to reflect on how best to support similar community efforts in the future.”

Despite the program not operating, Huchala says other methods of transportation are available, including family or friends, a taxi or public transit.

“I almost feel like a broken record about how we’re always saying the same thing—take an Uber, take a taxi, that sort of thing—but I do believe that we are getting that message out there,” she said.

“We are seeing a little bit fewer and fewer on the roads, but there are still some that are out there. We hear about them.”

Drivers with a blood alcohol concentration over .08 can face criminal charges.

“People are getting the message,” said Ramotowski.

“A lot of people now stay at home when they’re consuming.”

For Ell, who has lost friends to drinking and driving, the goal is to be that option for people to get home safe.

“The last thing we want to hear is that somebody decided not to call and didn’t make it home,” he said.

Police are asking everyone to not post locations of checkstops on social media, as doing so can help impaired drivers avoid them and puts all road users at risk.